McLaren, John (1972) Draft of ‘Towards a New Australia’. UNSPECIFIED. (Unpublished)

Abstract

Contains a review of Australian Fabian essays in socialism and a discussion on the range of political problems facing the Australian community. The distinctive feature of the Fabian tradition of socialism is its belief in the slow rather than precipitated change in society, in evolution rather than revolution. This does not imply an abandonment of principle for pragmatism, for the eventual effects of slow change may well prove to be more revolutionary than the results of a violent upheaval which merely changes the people holding power. In Australian circumstances, where revolutionary tactics can be no more than a romantic escape from actuality, the Fabian approach is certainly politically realistic, but it is also based on sound socialist principle. Revolutionary programs are necessarily devised before the event, and are designed and implemented by activists. The Fabian approach both recognises the limitations of human understanding and emphasises the need for full democratic participation in the development of new social institutions.

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